Iraola’s Assessment of Pre-Season Performance
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has indicated that his squad is currently unable to maintain the desired performance level for an entire match. This assessment follows a pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 3-2 after initially holding a two-goal lead. Iraola noted similarities to a previous match against Leeds, where the team also saw a lead slip away. He highlighted that while the team played well in the first 30 minutes of the Monaco game, they struggled to sustain that intensity, particularly after substitutions were made.
Iraola explained that players begin to tire, making it difficult to maintain the required level of play for the full duration of the game. He acknowledged that while the team won their first two pre-season matches, the subsequent two demonstrated a challenge in sustaining their performance. The coach stressed that there is “work to do” as the team prepares for the upcoming Premier League season.
Squad Depth and Player Fitness Concerns
The match against Monaco also brought to light concerns regarding Liverpool’s squad depth. The team finished the game with Luke Chambers and Wataru Endo playing at centre-back, a position where they face questions about who will partner Virgil van Dijk when the Premier League season commences. Van Dijk, along with Alisson and Cody Gakpo, made his return against Monaco after an extended break following the World Cup.
Eighteen-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe started alongside Van Dijk, but work permit issues mean he is expected to go out on loan this season. Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo, 27, underwent a medical for a season-long loan move from Barcelona, which includes an option to buy for approximately £47.2m. Jeremy Jacquet, 21, who joined from Rennes, has not yet participated in full training due to a shoulder injury sustained in February and a recent minor knee problem. Iraola expressed optimism that Jacquet could be available for the next match against Como, despite his recovery taking longer than anticipated. Another player, Curtis Jones, missed the match due to hip issues, though the problem is not believed to be significant.
Impact of New Signings and Upcoming Fixtures
Despite the defeat, the performances of new signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak offered a positive outlook for Liverpool. The pair, who were acquired for a combined fee of £225m last summer, demonstrated strong chemistry on the field. Wirtz operated in the number 10 role behind Isak, who scored the first goal with a right-footed finish. Wirtz was noted as Liverpool’s best player in the match and had also scored in a previous game against Leeds.
Isak commented on his positive experience working with Iraola, stating that the team spirit is good and everyone is working hard to prepare for the season. Iraola had previously mentioned in his programme notes that he aimed to build a team that fans could identify with and be proud of, viewing the friendly against Monaco as an important step. Liverpool has two remaining pre-season fixtures, a double-header against Como on 16 August, before their Premier League campaign begins at Newcastle.
The head coach’s first home game at Anfield saw a sell-out crowd, with fans lining the streets to welcome Iraola and his squad.
Source: bbc.com
